Can an ingredient in popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy help people with obesity fight cancer?

### Can Weight Loss Drugs Help Fight Cancer? Recent research suggests that an ingredient in popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could help people with obesity fight cancer. These drugs contain semaglutide, which is designed to treat diabetes and aid in weight loss. According to a study published in the journal Obesity, people with obesity often have lower levels of natural killer (NK) cells, which are crucial for fighting cancer. The study involved 20 obese individuals who took semaglutide. The results showed that their NK cells improved in function. These drugs are known as glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) analogues. They can restore the function of NK cells, enabling them to kill cancerous cells more effectively. This effect is independent of the drugs' primary function of weight loss, suggesting that the treatment directly enhances the NK cells' ability to fight cancer. Andrew Hogan, an associate professor and principal investigator at Maynooth University in Ireland, where the research was conducted, expressed excitement about these findings. He noted that the drugs' popularity has led to shortages, but he hopes that more people with obesity can benefit from this treatment. In summary, while these findings are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the potential cancer-fighting benefits of these weight loss drugs.